This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are seven games in the NHL on Monday with the Wild, Avalanche and Bruins all huge home-ice favorites. Additionally, the Rangers, Stars and Flames are also all receiving notable chalk, whereas the Golden Knights-Capitals matchup has the tightest odds. It's worth noting the Kings and Blues are playing the second leg of back-to-back road sets. Here's a peek at the fantasy landscape ahead of Monday's action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Jacob Markstrom, CGY vs. STL ($26): This is a reasonable salary to roll with Markstrom. He's sporting a high-end .924 save percentage and 2.25 GAA for the year, and the Blues are playing their third road game in four nights. St. Louis has also overachieved at five-on-five offensively since Dec. 1 with the eighth most goals per 60 minutes but the 10th fewest expected goals per 60.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Marc-Andre Fleury, CHI at COL ($33): Considering Colorado is the highest scoring team in the league and 17-2-1 on home ice this year, there's little reason to turn to Fleury at this salary. He got yanked early in his most recent start and sports a mediocre .913 save percentage and 2.79 GAA for the campaign, too.
CENTER
Erik Haula, BOS vs. ANH ($14): The first-year Bruin has settled in nicely between Taylor Hall ($17) and David Pastrnak ($30) on Boston's second line and produced two tallies and seven helpers through his past 11 games. Haula's an affordable supporting piece to consider with Anaheim's recent road struggles and huge underdogs Monday. The Ducks have lost four straight on the highway with 17 goals against.
CENTER TO AVOID
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. VGK ($24): With Vegas atop the league in Corsi For percentage and expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five since Dec. 1, this probably isn't an ideal spot to load up Kuznetsov. There are a handful of superior matchups to focus on.
WING
Kevin Fiala and Matthew Boldy, MIN vs. MON ($18/$15): Montreal has allowed the second most goals per game and rank 30th in penalty-kill percentage, so linemates Fiala and Boldy land in a great matchup and are an affordable stack. Fiala has found the scoresheet in eight straight contests, and Boldy has two tallies and two helpers through the first six games of his career.
WINGS TO AVOID
Patrick Kane, CHI at COL ($26): As noted, the Avalanche are a daunting opponent on home ice, and while Kane is having another solid season (36 points in 37 games), he's only recorded double-digit fantasy points in eight of the past 25 contests. His minus-16 rating during the stretch has taken a toll.
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL at CGY ($26): While Tarasenko has recorded four assists through three games since returning from the COVID-19 list, he's registered just four shots and 11 attempts. It's a small sample, but this also isn't the easiest schedule spot, and Calgary's been solid defensively ranking fourth in goals against per game and seventh in penalty-kill percentage.
DEFENSE
Jared Spurgeon, MIN vs. MON ($18): The power-play quarterback collected a pair of assists with the man advantage in his return to action on Saturday, and Spurgeon is positioned for another solid showing with the noted high-end matchup against Montreal on Monday.
Cam York, PHI vs. DAL ($10): With a contest-minimum salary, York's an intriguing flier. He's projected to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit Monday, and has recorded a respectable three points, 11 shots and 13 blocks while averaging 20:03 of ice time through nine games this season.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Cale Makar, COL vs. CHI ($30): In a deep defense pool, it might not be advantageous enough to spend up for Makar on Monday. He's an elite offensive contributor and lands in a cushy matchup with Chicago allowing a healthy 3.27 goals per game and ranking 25th in penalty-kill percentage, but you'll have to make sacrifices elsewhere to fit him under the salary cap.
Drew Doughty, LA at NYR ($21): The Rangers allow the third fewest goals per game and rank fifth in penalty-kill percentage, so this projects as a tough matchup for Doughty. Additionally, despite registering eight points through the past 12 games, he's only reached double-digit fantasy points twice.
